Lebanon fears Israeli invasion ‘imminent’

Press, 12 April 1982, Page 1

Lebanon fears Israeli invasion ‘imminent’

NZPA Beirut Fears that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon may be imminent were widespread in Beirut as President Elias Sarkis of Lebanon twice met the United States Ambassador over the tense situation.

Israeli gunboats were seen off the coast of south Lebanon on Saturday as United Nations peacekeeping troops reported increased Israeli troop movements just

south of the Israel-Lebanon border, where it is believed Israel in recent days had massed 40.000 troops’— two Army divisions. Since Tuesday an estimated 20.000 armed men of the , Palestine Liberation Organisation in south Lebanon have been put on full alert for the expected attack. The chairman of the P.L.0.. Yasser Arafat, toured positions there on Friday. In Tel Aviv, an’ Israeli Government spokesman said the guerrillas "have good reason for their panic and hysteria." A spokesman for Israel's Prime Minister (Mr Begin) declined to comment directly on the claims that Israel was about to mount an invasion.

However, a large number of Israeli Army reservists have been called back to military duty in recent days. One Israeli official said: “Should Israel decide to deal with the P.L.0.. it will do so despite the international hysteria. Should Israel decide not to do anything, it will certainly not be due to that hysteria." Mr Dillon said after meeting President Sarkis: “We are doing our best to urge maximum restraint on all sides ... Il is important that

all parties be urged to cool

President Sarkis also met the Soviet Ambassador in his effort to get Russia and the United Slates to press for continuation of the cease-fire that has existed between Israeli and Palestinian forces in south Lebanon since last summer.

If Israel attacks, it may do so with limited commando or aerial action, perhaps one aimed at destroying the sur-face-to-air missiles Syria moved into Lebanon's Bekaa Valley a year ago. Israel has repeatedly warned that it will destroy them sooner or later.

Four years ago Israel’s

Army invaded south Lebanon in what was known as "the Litani Operation" after the river where the Israeli forces halted. Israel this time could be

expected io use paratroopers and perhaps an amphibious landing in an attempt to cut off the retreat of the Palestinian forces and kill as many of them as possible.